Movies often veer towards the more unnatural, such as people having superpowers or the world ending in a nearly-improbably way. But if we ignore the movies that feature ghosts, ghouls, and goblins, a large genre focuses on science. From experiments to mad scientists, these movies about science explore new topics and provoke conversations from viewers.
Whether you’re interested in biographical films featuring well-known scientists or exploring how science helped someone survive Mars, these are the best movies about science you need to see.
7. Prince of Darkness (1987)
Prince of Darkness might only have a 6.2 rating on IMDb, but it’s considered one of the best movies about science. The 1987 supernatural horror film follows a group of quantum physics students in Los Angeles who are asked to assist a Catholic priest in investigating an ancient cylinder of liquid discovered in a monastery, which they come to find is a sentient, liquid embodiment of the son of Satan. And somehow, the container is opened and the evil force is unleashed upon all of humanity. While not an accurate depiction of science, it’s an enjoyable film with a wild plot.
6. The Andromeda Strain (1971)
With a 7.2 on IMDb, The Andromeda Strain is next on the list of best movies about science. The science fiction thriller by Robert Wise is based on the 1969 book by Michael Crichton. The film follows a team of scientists who investigate a deadly organism of extraterrestrial origin. The organism killed all the citizens of a small town, and the team must do all they can to stop the contagion before it spreads across the world. The movie is also known for its special effects design, such as the use of split screens in certain scenes.
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5. Madame Curie (1943)
Madame Curie is one of the best movies about science with a 7.2 IMDb rating. The 1943 biographical film tells the story of Polish-French physicist Marie Curie in 1980s Paris as she begins to share a laboratory with her future husband Pierre Currie. Together, the two embark on the journey that ends with the discovery of radium. It’s a romantic drama that focuses on relationships, science, and growth.
4. The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936)
Another biographical film is The Story of Louis Pasteur with a 7.3 IMDb rating. The 1936 is a black-and-white film that focuses on the renowned scientist who developed major advances in microbiology, which revolutionized agriculture and medicine. The film tells a highly fictionalized version of Pasteur’s life, and won several rewards regarding acting and storytelling.
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3. The Theory of Everything (2014)
One of the more recent biographical dramas is The Theory of Everything. The 2014 movie has a 7.7 rating and explores the detailed life of the theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. The movie explores the relationship between Jane Hawking and Stephen Hawking, his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and his success in the field of physics. It not only is one of the best movies about science, but also romance, as it shares Hawking beating all odds with his diagnosis, but also how beautiful their relationship was during his struggles.
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2. The Martain (2015)
With a solid 8 rating on IMDb, The Martain takes second place in the best movies about science. The science fiction film by Ridley Scott, adapted from Any Weird’s 2011 novel, stars Matt Damon as the astronaut who struggles to survive on Mars after being left behind and NASA’s efforts to return him to Earth. After being stranded when he’s assumed dead, he must rely on his own ingenuity to survive, from growing food to exploring Mars.
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1. Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Last but certainly not least is Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. The 1964 political satire black comedy film has an 8.3 rating on IMDb and is one of the best movies about science, as it focuses on the nuclear conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States. The story concerns an unhinged United States Air Force general who orders a pre-emptive nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. It also follows the President of the United States, a nuclear scientist, and more, as they attempt to prevent the crew of a B-52 from bombing the Soviet Union and starting a war.